Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Dilemmas

Dilemma #1:One of two beauty dilemmas. I have this weird skin thing called K.P. My skin doesn't exfoliate as it should and I have these little bumps on my arms and legs. It's something I inherited from my dad and that I unfortunately passed on to my son. About a year ago I started using lotion with glycolic acid and it makes my bumps clear up. (Check it out here.) Woo hoo! The trade off is that it doesn't smell good and it stings. Have you ever shaved your legs and gone to the beach? That's what it feels like when I put it on my legs after I shave. Oh, and I shave every day. My skin's already bumpy and I can't stand for it to be stubbly too! Gross! I have been using Jergerns Natural Glow lotion and I love it. While it doesn't smell good, it does take the edge off my whiteness. The dilemma is that it allows my bumps to come back. So I throw in a K.P. lotion treatment every few days, but it exfoliates my natural glow! Dern! What a dilemma!

Dilemma #2:I complained about this last year and here it is again. Basically, during the summer I have to slather my face with sunscreen to protect against further skin damage and awful sun spots that were bestowed upon me during my pregnancy with Jackson. The dilemma is, it gives me acne. Gross! Do I want acne or wrinkles and sun spots? Neither! What a dilemma!

Dilemma #3:Every time I take Jackson to the park, some kid has brought an awesome toy that Jackson wants to play with. While this kid is off doing his own thing, my child has spotted the nerf football or dump truck laying on the ground and he wants desperately to play with it. I don't want to let him play with it because it's not ours, but he's in a downward spiral over the dumb toy. Hello! We have toys at home! Look at that awesome slide! So that makes me want to bring our own toys for the park, but then I'd be tempting someone else's kid. Stink! What a dilemma!

Dilemma #4:I can't remember what it was, so here's a picture of Mister-My-Mister.

These sun spots....are they melasma? I have those and I hate them. I'm like you and I only start sweating it when summer comes and the sun makes them worse. I was thinking about going to the dermatologist to get some bleaching cream....which also smells gross (smells like burnt hair). Can't these people make something that smells yummy? Anyway, would it help to use the Jergens lotion in the morning and then use the KP cream at night?

I have had a problem with breakouts ever since my first pregnancy. I finally started using Olay Regenerist cream with an spf15 in it. It works great for me as a sun block and it doesn't grease up my face. In fact the whole Regenerist line by Olay, especially the under-the-eye cream, was rated in Consumer Reports to be just as good as Lancome, but about $80 cheaper.

I'm 37 and I've found that I will do some strange things to fight getting more wrinkles...and believe me they're coming like gangbusters.

About Jackson at the park....I say let him play with that kid's toy. Toys not being played with at the park are fair game for any kid, in my opinion. He's such a cutie pie!

what a cutie! I hear you on the sunscreen issue. Only one I've found that seems to work well on my skin is Paula's choice (www.cosmeticscop.com) She reviews all kinds of products of effectiveness...maybe one will curb the acne?! Hang in there...it'll be worth it to see our grandkids!

I have never been diagnosed with KP, but I'm 99% sure that's what I have on my arms and legs. I'd love to know more about the lotion you use. :) I'm also fair skinned and tend to break out with sunscreen. Oh well!

I don't know what you've tried for sunscreen, but I am in love with Clinique's City Block SPF 25 tinted sunscreen. It really works. I was recently on vacation and walked around all day without sunscreen because it was overcast. My arms and legs were sunburned, but because City Block is part of my morning routine, my face was white as ever! It's the perfect thing (with maybe a touch of bronzer) for running errands and stuff in without a face full of makeup because it's tinted.

I don't have many words of wisdom for these dilemmas, but I do have a possible suggestion for the sunblock/acne situation! Which that whole dilemma is so wrong by the way. Us fair girls tryin to do right and end up with acne. DEEP sadness.

You may have already tried this, but I have found that Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Spray works well and does not cause me to have breakouts like other sunblocks. It is SPF 45 and according to the dermatologist, Aveeno products lack whatever it is that causes skin to flair up. It is really light too and doesn't have a yucky smell.

My beautiful 14 year old daughter inherited this from her late mother. It is all over her arms and legs. She refuses to wear shorts and I do not know what we will do about a formal one day. She is very highly self conscious about this. Her doctor said he could prescribe a cortisone cream but she would have to be on it for life and he really encouraged us not to use it.

I am going to try what you have listed Amanda. I did notice the first year she was in my life she got very tan and the bumps seem to go away. She has not had a tan like that since. She can't use the Jergen's lotion you mentioned because her bumps are so bad that it settles in her little pores. Poor girl. I told her this summer we would come up with a better plan. Thank you for talking about this. I just knew there had to be more women that suffered from this!

Oh and the Mister looks more grown up every day!!!Blessings,Vickie@PursuingSimplicity

Dilemma #1 -- Never heard of it, but I'm wondering if my son has it. Little tiny bumps on his upper arms.

Dilemma #2 -- I have the same problem with sunscreen during the summer. Just returned from the Walgreens with some samples of some new stuff for my skin sensitivity, redness, and summer acne. Did I also mention that I have PMS? :)

Dilemma #3 -- Toys at the playground...wish I had an answer. We never took them because, hello? It's a playground -- cool slide, swings, bouncy things, etc. Good luck with that one!

Dilemma #4 -- Whatever it was it couldn't have been more important than showing off that sweet boy!! Amanda! He is growing up!!!

I am so with you on the KP thing! I have had it for years and it is on the tops of my thighs too. It really makes shaving interesting. I tried lotions too and that really got old quick. I try to moisturize everyday and that helps--doesnt' make the bumps go away but it does make them less itchy. Since I am always red on my arms ppl think that I have sunburn, go figure.

Those are some dilemmas!Usually when my kids see toys at the park I remind them that the toys aren't theirs and that they have to ask if they can play with them. Of course, that only works if you know which child they belong to. I still don't bring toys with us, I'm lucky to get the kids to the park much less toys!All three of my younger kids have those bumps on their arms/legs. I hadn't heard it called K.P. I just thought it was ecema even though it really didn't seem to look like it.

I use Jergen's Natural glow and love it. It makes my face look somewhat tan. You are right, it doesn't smell the best. Every now and then when a pimple wants to surface I use Mary Kay's acne cream, just a dot of it and it gets rid of acne quick! Darn dilemmas!!

I take great, but expensive (for me) WHOLE FOOD vitamins (like $35 a bottle) and it cleared my arms up from that. Apparently, its exasserbated by a vitamin deficiency (though I forget which one) and I promise, I dont have it anymore and last summer it was so bad that I hated my arms and it was even on my upper thighs.

Pale girls unite! Just kidding... we're not that white. That stinging that you get after shaving your legs then going to the beach is horrible. I feel your pain! Maybe that's why I don't go to the beach even though it is so close to me... hmm. Hope your dilemmas work themselves out wonderfully. :D

OH. MY. GOSH. I totally have KP. I looked it up on WebMD and I totally have it--a mild case, but still! I have been wondering what this stuff is. It even says it worsens after childbirth. That explains it.

At least you didn't have the dilemma today of suffering through a low impact aerobics class and not burning any calories or walking out and going home to feel guilty for not doing anything! :) Now you just have noodle arms. ha! Enjoy your weekend!

I am interested in the lotion as well. Which one do you use? I went to their website and there is a ton of stuff. It is so weird, I have KP on one arm mostly and a little on the other. It is not fun for summer at all!

Cute picture of Jackson! His eyes are so beautiful...it is like he has natural eye liner!!

I can definitely relate to dilemma #2. I started using Coppertone oil-free sunscreen for faces and it has really reduced my summer breakouts! :) Here's a pic: http://www.drugstore.com/qxp27879_333181_sespider/coppertone/sunblock_lotion_oil_free_spf_15.htm

http://www.helpforkp.com/keratosis_pilaris_treatment_index.htmlHere is a link with some other lotions/soaps to treat KP. Maybe some of them smell better. (Dilemma: it is probably the one that was discontinued!)

I have K.P. too. One of the sisters here in the convent has these awesome sugar scrubs. I am sure they smell way better than your gycolic cream. You can check it out here. I don't think it will really solve the dilemma of scrubbing away your glow - but it will help with the stinky cream!

Find yourself an Arbonne consultant and use their skincare line. Their self-tanner is the BOMB!!! My husband has bad skin with multiple issues :-) and his skin is the best it has ever been. He uses their body care and their men's products on his face.

How does Jackson feel about older women? My 5 year old is in love with him!!

I have been sort of reading your blog for awhile, and just decided to comment. I hope you don't mind!

I don't really have any advice, except to say that I think the Target brand of the Jergens Natural Glow smells less and works as well (and was 2 dollars less a bottle). Of course, if it's all getting exfoliated off, it doesn't really help that much.

My oldest has that skin issue. (Trying to get a teenager to use ANYTHING is a fight) But we have tried a lotion from www.dermadoctor.com. We have had good results. Now that I think about it it may be www.dermadr.comTheir warehouse is in Kansas City and she has been featured in some magazine ads. Maybe that would help! Blessings,Stephanie

Oh I have the same skin thing! I'm going to have to check out that skin care stuff. It drives me nuts. As for your 3rd issue, hate to say it, but it doesn't necessarily get any better. I could take the kids to Mickey D's, let them get ice cream, on the way home stop at the park and then play in the sprinklers when we get home, but yet the minute we walk indoors, they throw a darn outright stinky fit because "someone took HER cup and she can't drink from THAT cup." This girl is 9.

Amanda - I'm delurking to ask you about the lotion. I went to the website, but which lotion do you use? My daughter and husband get the same bumps on their arms. Thanks so much!Tammy (a lurker from Birmingham, AL)

Ugh! I have that kp thing, too. Only I don't do anything about it. I will definitely visit the link you so lovingly provided. I was just doing some research on it last night as a matter of fact!

When my son was Jackson's age he did the exact same toy at the park routine. Then he would take it a step further. He would go around and beg food from people eating. I guess the grapes they had made mine pale in comparison. I would be SO embarassed! The toy thing is nothing compared to your child begging for food.

I have started using bag balm on my face. you get it from the pet department if that says anything. It has seriously cleared up the bumps I would get on my forehead. CRAZY! Also, I have tried my hardest to talk myself out of shaving sometimes just to break free and not shave for one day and I must shave. Mister is so cute!!

Hmmm - I get little bumps on my legs - not my arms - especially in the winter. But I fell in love with Jergens Natural Glow last summer and it seems to help the bumps in the spring/summer which I'm thankful for.My daughter has very sensitive skin and gets bumps on her arms sometimes - you can't see them but you can feel them. And she has VERY fair/fragile skin. She sunburns in a heartbeat. I'll keep what you said in mind in case she's headed down that route (she's only 11.) Thanks for sharing about something so personal. :)

your mister makes all the dilemas melt away.. such a cutie, and he's getting so big!

anyway, i don't have KP so I don't know what works with it or not, but cetaphil has a SPF lotion that I use, and it's completely oil free, non-comedeigenic (sp?)etc.etc! i too could never find a lotion that would work without breaking me out, but this has been fabulous.. another option that is equally as fabulous and has worked for my bff who has rosacia (again, can't spell) is the proactive green tea lotion, which has an spf to it.. she actually uses that daily, and when she goes out will put a sun screen on over it, and it hasn't caused ANY break outs, and in fact has clearer her skin up.. i use it as well, and it hasn't broken me out.. again, i don't have a clue about KP and so this may be something you've already tried, but either way, hope you're able to find something that works for you.. :)

oh, and the exfoliating, and lotion business.. get a big bronzer and big brush (pay more for the nicer ones) and put it on your arms, shoulders, face, and wherever else is exposed.. it won't stay on when you're swimming, but it may add color to what's already on from the lotion, and it will at least add color when you're not swimming and just out and about. it's light, and so it's not like you're going to slather foundation or something heavy on.. and it works perfect!

I have used to great success Apple Cider Vinegar(ACV) mixed wtih 1/3 water use it in a small Bath & Body slash bottle.It takes care of all kinds of skin irratants. Also Lavender oil,Lemon, and Rosemary essential oils are great. 5 drops to 6 oz. water sprizt on affected skin.

I know this is random but for your sweet Beckham the Lavender oil and or ACV are great for hot spots and fleas .I use this on our Jack Russell who is much loved but, the summertime fleas are keeping him in pain.

I just discovered the Healthy Glow and love it !

And have you tried "VEET"you wont need to shave everyday. I bought this on a trip to Paris. Wonderful!

My take on the toys at the park thing (and this goes for pool) is that if you bring a toy for your kid and leave it lying in the middle of the pool/park/etc unattended it is fair game for anyone to play with.

Glad the bumps are under control--remember I had those too. Still do on the backs of my arms, but they aren't so bad anymore. Have you tried neutrogena dry touch sunblock?

Not that I am a dermatologist (nor do I play one on TV), but my hubs and sadly my boys also have those bumps on their arms and the dermatologist told us to get some "Olay In Shower Body Moisture". It's this lotion that you put on in the shower and rinse off then you pat yourself dry when you get out. It works very well. I use it even though I dont have the bumps because it saves time having to rub in lotion after I shower. Fair skin is my middle name, yet in my teens and early 20's in insisted on tanning like I was from the Amazon.....paying for it at 35....freckles, oh those derned freckles!Your little mister gets more handsome every time I see his picture. I am guessing that in about 12 years, you will be fielding lots of calls from girls who want to talk to the handsome boy with the bluest eyes......dern those girls!!!! ;-) hahhahaha just kidding

I get those bumps too, but never knew it had a name. Thanks for the tips; I'll be sure to try them! My sister recommended AHA creams. They work, but I get lazy and don't use it regularly.

I got the same type spots with my first pregnancy, but it seemed to clear up completely with my second. I'm on my third right now, and I have no problems. My sister had to get a bleaching cream for hers, and she seems happy with it.

I get acne too. Proactiv is the only thing that works for me; I've used it for 8 years. I slather on the mousterizer with sunscreen (Oil of Olay) to (try to) prevent wrinkles. I'm only 31, so I guess it works...I'll tell you for sure in another 31 years!

I'm new to commenting here but have stopped by a time or two before. I would highly recommend Melaleuca products to anyone that has "skin issues". I use their products and really like them. If you would like more info, feel free to send me an email.

Besides a baby, what pregnant women get in return for surrendering their waistlines is nine months of thick, glorious hair. It’s a beautiful thing. However, when Baby is just a few months old (about the time Mommy is seeing hints of her returning waistline) it all falls out. Soon her face is framed by the re-growth—lovely inch-long hairs called baby bangs. This blog is named for that charming little phenomenon.